It’s a small world after all

Sometimes a couple of weeks go by when all kinds of activities seem to come at you from all directions. Some can be on the homefront: a new baby, grandchildren performing in a dancing festival, First Communion, some issue with a teenager, or adult children and their marriage, sickness in the family, matric exams and so on. Families nowadays seem to have this whirlwind of activities and some take it in their stride. For others it is quite disorientating as if they are in danger of losing their footing on a mountain hike.

Sometimes activities or events are on a wider scale, at national level, as we in South Africa have experienced in the political arena over the last two months. On an international level the world has gone quite topsy-turvy. Financial crash or melt-down, turbulence on the stock exchange and the currency exchange rates can make one feel punchdrunk. Analysts try to interpret what is going on around the world. It all seems to make so little sense — action, reaction, reaction to reaction. Are they  driven by some mysterious force?

What does strike me about much of this is how small the world is. OK, we are talking about trillions of dollars, and the whole world being in turmoil but the very fact that the whole world is one global village actually also makes it a small world, because it is so interrelated. From another angle, when one is faced to saturation point with such major world events and even the smaller events around, a natural reaction can be to slam on brakes, batten down the hatches and withdraw into one’s own little world. This is a natural survival mechanism and who doesn’t need to survive?

Some readers may have visited one of the Disney theme parks and taken a ride in the little boat past displays of the countries of the world while having the song “It’s A Small World After All” echoing in umpteen different languages.

It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears,
It’s a world of hopes  and a world of fears.
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all

Where does the Church fit into all this?  My recent exposure to different forums and the big wide world with workers and missionaries from different scenarios and countries made me reflect on the multi-faceted mission of the Church.

Mission month has invited us to be aware of the needs of others, also to be prophetic and just in our dealings. We all have a mission in life. For Catholics, by virtue of their baptism, it is to bring the Good News of God’s love into our world, small or large as it may be. Our mission needs to be tailored to our resources. Some of us have more time, more energy, more money to share. At the same time our own families are the first and really the most important place to bring Good News, especially when we are in danger of being swamped by so many “bigger” issues.

Many families can only just cope with their own small world and they need to feel OK about doing the best job they can there. Things such as family commemorations of those loved ones who have died — even the true tradition of Halloween — can build up the faith in the family. All families, rich and poor have the same responsibility and there are resources available to help. I submit that even the 2009 Family Calendar has potential for meaningful reflection and sharing.

Nurturing, supporting, educating or just simply feeding is a life’s work. And with the price of food — even chicken — spiralling, if anyone has any good recipes for making hadidah stew that might also be a help.